My name is Christine Black. I am 44 years old and the Head teacher of the International Montessori English Speaking Preschool in Munich. I am married with two grown children and 1 grandchild. I am British from Northern England. I have lived in Munich for 13 years and worked at the Preschool for 8 years.

I am a Montessori-trained teacher, with NAMC Diploma Qualification. I also have a Child Psychology Diploma, and a Social Work with Children and Families Diploma. Additionally, I have an Aromatherapy Diploma - a skill I use to create a peaceful environment for the children.

My interests are photography, cooking and gardening.

I became a teacher because I enjoy teaching small children new things every day and sparking their interests. I chose the Montessori path because I believe in teaching children to respect one another, their environment, and for our world. And I love that the Montessori philosophy develops the whole child. It's a joy to watch these wonderful children grow and mature into curious little citizens of the planet. I am always looking forward to working with each child's unique approach to learning, as they follow their own independent ideas.

My name is Karen Reynolds, from Dublin, Ireland. I studied Montessori Education (3-12 years) at St. Nicholas Montessori College of Ireland in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Montessori Education (3-12 years) in 2009. I also have further qualifications in both Early Education and Caring for Children.

Prior to studying for my Montessori degree, I worked as both a Special Needs Assistant and a Classroom Assistant for 5 years for a National Primary School in Dublin.

I chose to study the Montessori method after working with an inspirational Montessori teacher who opened my eyes to the unique child whose abilities and love of learning can be engaged and stimulated through Montessori's Prepared Environment.

Everyday in the International Montessori English-speaking Preschool, I am fortunate to work with other teachers who, like me, seek to guide each individual child in fulfilling his or her natural inclination to learn and discover new and fascinating materials that develop not just the intellect, but the whole self.

Hello, my name is Felizitas Schmitz. I was born in Munich in 1970. Together with my husband and my two children, we live near Freising.

From 1989 to 1994 I studied "Sozialpädagogik" at the "Staatliche Fachhochschule München" and graduated with a diploma (Diplom-Sozialpädagogin (FH)).

After my graduation, I worked half a year in Turkey to learn the Turkish language. Afterwards, I worked at a children's home in the south of Munich and at the Stadtjugendamt München. During that time I did an additional training in "Sozialtherapeutisches Rollenspiel" for three years and received the certificate "STR-Gruppenleiter (ASIS)".

After the birth of my two children, I taught German to Turkish women.

Since November 2009, I have been working at the International Montessori Preschool as a German teacher. Together with my assistant, Anna, we work with the children on Mondays and Tuesdays. My teaching method is influenced by the "Würzburger Trainingsprogramm", and the recommendations of the Staatsinstitut für Schulqualität und Bildungsforschung München.

For me it is very important that the children learn the language in a playful way. The children have a lot of fun singing German songs, cooking German food and preparing for German and Bavarian festivities.

I am also responsible for the German "Vorschule", preparing the older children for the German school system. The "Vorschule" includes the kindergarten-part of the "Vorkurs Deutsch".